E-Class (W212/C207/A207) Mercedes W212 E-Class Facelift: Renders, Spyshots, Etc

[Merc1]

I don't think the facelifts have anything to do with MB's loss in market share. If we're looking at MB's "decline", which really isn't all that bad since they went up 5% since last year, it's been in the past few years where Audi is really beginning to catch up. If you think about-face product cycles, it's really only started to happen around the W212, W204 era. This means that sales which have accumulated thus far have not yet seen the effect of the "revolutionary 180 degree changes." In fact, it is very indicative of how the market received the FIRST iterations of the lineup. That being said, if MB is indeed losing market share at unprecedented levels, it is not because of the major changes, but because the lineup of before was not as "appealing" to the consumer when compared to Audi and BMW offerings. Maybe MB's trying to REGAIN market share by changing the way their cars look and cars feel.

That makes perfect sense. The competition has just gotten really intense and Mercedes is no longer head and shoulders about the fray anymore. Their 80's and 90's dominance is over, at least for now. I personally look for the S-Class to re-set the bar. BMW gave the 7 a weak facelift, Audi and Jaguar are still pre-FL and Lexus really went limp with the LS facelift. NOW is the moment for Mercedes, especially if the FL E and new S are both on sale by next summer all over the world. They could come roaring back in sales and market share. Along with all of new models at the lower end. I can't wait to see the baby CLS and how it sells here in the U.S.

M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Pre-FL C-Class interior, yes, that was an oops that they corrected, not sure why you seem to think anyone here defended the pre-FL C-Class interior.
M

I defended it.

I posted a whole comparison of it compared to the A4, as we had both brand new vehicles in our family at the time. The C felt better built and far more solid than the A4. It's design obviously did not last as well, nor was it as refined when it came to the plastics used on the door trims and dash, which I agreed with even back then.

 

[Merc1]

I defended it. I posted a whole comparison of it compared to the A4, as we had both brand new vehicles in our family at the time. The C felt better built and far more solid than the A4. It's design obviously did not last as well, nor as refined when it came to the plastics used on the door trims and dash, which I agreed with even back then.

I think we're talking about 2 different aspects of it though. Solidly built yes, but with cheaper materials and really cheap looking design is what K/A and I were talking about. No question that it was solidly built, but it looked and felt really cheap for a Benz.

M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I think we're talking about 2 different aspects of it though. Solidly built yes, but with cheaper materials and really cheap looking design is what K/A and I were talking about. No question that it was solidly built, but it looked and felt really cheap for a Benz.

M

We're on the same page:
1. It felt cheap because of the grain of plastic that was used on the dash and doors. It was very unrefined. The detailing (little chrome strips etc.) and leather were superior to the A4 though.
2. The design did not date well, that is true.

 

[Wolfgang]

The 212 design was already frozen in 2006 under Peter Pfeiffer. Gorden Wagener took over around 2008.

Design work began in 2004 after the development program commenced in 2003, with the conceptual designs by Thomas Stopka being selected in 2005. After refinements and engineering considerations being made, the final design specifications were frozen in 2006.

Certain elements of the exterior styling are taken from the preceding W204 C-Class and W221 S-Class each designed in 2002 and 2003. The bulging rear wheel arches are meant to be reminiscent of the fender flares of historic "Ponton" Mercedes models of the 1950s. The design of the W212 and C207 E-Class was previewed by theConceptFASCINATION design study in September 2008.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W212

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class shows its distinguished grille on the production line.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

The 212 design was already frozen in 2006 under Peter Pfeiffer. Gorden Wagener took over around 2008.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class shows its distinguished grille on the production line.

Wolf do you know when the CLS design was Frozen and the GLK?

 

[Wolfgang]

Suspect they followed a similar schedule, with the GLK preceding the 212 by about half a year, while the 218 followed about 1.5 to 2 years later.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

So likely all under Pfeiffers helm.

 

[Wolfgang]

Suspect Gorden Wagener's team may be conceiving 2020 models at present.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

lol. Given that the SL's design sat on ice for almost 2 years after being finalized, I suspect this vehicle was also under Pfeiffer.

 

[michaelhutchence]

I like this major facelifts and I don't think that with them the producer recognises that the pre-fl model was a mistake.Probably they want something fresh something new that doesnt look old. Also they probably are training people's eyes for the new model.

 

[Carmaker1]

The 212 design was already frozen in 2006 under Peter Pfeiffer. Gorden Wagener took over around 2008.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class shows its distinguished grille on the production line.

Thanks to some of you and numerous other sources on/off-line, that one section of Wikipedia I was able to contribute to, plus many others. Several people provided me the info on the design age and exterior designers of various BMW and Mercedes-Benz models, so I'm guilty of what's on Wikipedia and spreading across the web. Hussein had mentioned in 2008 that the W212 was frozen "3 years ago", but confirmed like a few others that it was in 2006 that the design was signed off on. The first prototypes were out in January of 2007.

Suspect they followed a similar schedule, with the GLK preceding the 212 by about half a year, while the 218 followed about 1.5 to 2 years later.

Thanks! That makes plenty of sense as these are the earliest publicized images of the GLK as a clay model, taken in a Mercedes-Benz design studio in late 2005/early 2006. These were later filed on February 7, 2006.

Wolf do you know when the CLS design was Frozen and the GLK?

I'd say 2005ish as Mercedes-Benz design patents usually aren't filed immediately(SLS AMG was frozen in April/May 2007, patented 12/2007). The CLS design was frozen in 2007 and it's design patent(shown below) was filed months later on July 2, 2008. Most of Hubert Lee's dated sketches are have '07 on them, so I figure that's when it was. Actually, even 6 weeks prior to that Autobild practically leaked it over 90% similar to the original design shown below. It obviously changed between 2008 and it's debut in 2010.

lol. Given that the SL's design sat on ice for almost 2 years after being finalized, I suspect this vehicle was also under Pfeiffer.

Yes, it's interesting that Wolfgang pointed out for me how the SL design process commenced in 2007 and then sat on ice for 2 years till 2010. I don't think that's entirely true, as the R172 was nearly finished by June 2008 and the R231 was still this CAD file in August 2009. The full R231 design wasn't filed until April 2010. Not only that, the R230 facelift was designed over 2 years before we saw it in 2008 as the patents were filed on January 13, 2006(B-Day). This W212 facelift probably got signed off on last year, as pattern-wise Mercedes-Benz freezes MMC designs about 15-24 months before production starts. The W213 is rounding up its design process and will be finished by next summer.

 

[MAJESTIC]

Thanks to some of you and numerous other sources on/off-line, that one section of Wikipedia I was able to contribute to, plus many others. Several people provided me the info on the design age and exterior designers of various BMW and Mercedes-Benz models, so I'm guilty of what's on Wikipedia and spreading across the web. Hussein had mentioned in 2008 that the W212 was frozen "3 years ago", but confirmed like a few others that it was in 2006 that the design was signed off on. The first prototypes were out in January of 2007.

Thanks! That makes plenty of sense as these are the earliest publicized images of the GLK as a clay model in taken in a Mercedes-Benz design studio in late 2005/early 2006. These were later filed on February 7, 2006.

I'd say 2005ish as Mercedes-Benz design patents usually aren't filed immediately(SLS AMG was frozen in April/May 2007, patented 12/2007). The CLS design was frozen in 2007 and it's design patent(shown below) was filed months later on July 2, 2008. Most of Hubert Lee's dated sketches are have '07 on them, so I figure that's when it was. Actually, even 6 weeks prior to that Autobild practically leaked it over 90% similar to the original design shown below. It obviously changed between 2008 and it's debut in 2010.



Yes, it's interesting that Wolfgang pointed out for me how the SL design process commenced in 2007 and then sat on ice for 2 years till 2010. I don't think that's entirely true, as the R172 was nearly finished by June 2008 and the R231 was still this CAD file in August 2009. The full R231 design wasn't filed until April 2010. Not only that, the R230 facelift was designed over 2 years before we saw it in 2008 as the patents were filed on January 13, 2006(B-Day). This W212 facelift probably got signed off on last year, as pattern-wise Mercedes-Benz freezes MMC designs about 15-24 months before production starts. The W213 is rounding up its design process and will be finished by next summer.

Thanks! I absolutely love looking at these prototypes/patent filings of Benz, BMW, etc... very interesting

 

[Carmaker1]

I like this major facelifts and I don't think that with them the producer recognises that the pre-fl model was a mistake.Probably they want something fresh something new that doesnt look old. Also they probably are training people's eyes for the new model.

For awhile now it seems most companies utilize facelifts or MMCs as a bridge between the current model and the successor. When W212 facelift was designed during 2010-2011, it's likely that the W213 design process was starting and possibly TPTB or Wagener himself felt it needed to somewhat preview design elements to be used on the W213.

 

[Carmaker1]

Thanks! I absolutely love looking at these prototypes/patent filings of Benz, BMW, etc... very interesting

Your welcome! I love seeing all that secret stuff. It's weird to see some of these cars in pictures years before they hit the road.

 

[Keyonte]

Your welcome! I love seeing all that secret stuff. It's weird to see some of these cars in pictures years before they hit the road.

my same thoughts exactly

 

[HighestOfHigh]

2014 E63 AMG To Debut Affalterbach Tuner's Aggressive New Look​

At January’s 2013 Detroit Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz will unveil its updated 2014 E Class range, which once again will include a high-performance E63 AMG variant.

The reveal of the new E63 AMG, in particular, is very important as this will be the first time that we’ll be seeing the bold new design language planned for future AMG models.

Mercedes-Benz is pursuing a sportier look for its own models in the hope that it will attract younger buyers, so to ensure the AMG models still look the sportiest in the automaker’s lineup, the cars will start to look much more aggressive. Also prompting the design change at AMG were requests from customers complaining that the AMG Sports Packs offered on regular Mercedes models looked too similar to the dedicated AMG cars.

We will be seeing the new look for the first time on the 2014 E63 AMG, with other AMG models, including the 2015 C63 AMG, set to follow. The main feature will be a hyper-aggressive front bumper dominated by a blacked-out air dam stretching almost the entire width of the car. As one insider suggested, the new styling will make the 2014 E63 AMG look like a DTM racer built for the streets.

Few changes are expected under the hood, as the E63 AMG received AMG’s latest twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 only two model years ago. Currently in the E63 AMG, the engine produces 518 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque in standard guise, or 550 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque when fitted with an available Performance Package. It’s possible output of the standard version will be increased slightly to close in on the BMW M5’s 560-horsepower rating.

- http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...debut-affalterbach-tuners-aggressive-new-look

 

[PHYBENZ]

 

[Monster]

Was hoping MB to increase the size of the COMMAND screen, there are clearly space on each side to accommodate a wider screen, but it was filled with a gloss black panel instead.

 

[Kowalski]

Spacious enough for the fast food enthusiast with an ever expanding paunch.